As a parent, you play a vital role in educating your youth about traffic safety and influencing them to make safe and responsible decisions as drivers and passengers. In 2019, in Virginia, 65 teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Even “good kids” can fall victim to unsafe driving behaviors that can lead to serious injury and death. Your teen needs your guidance and involvement during the early driving years. Below are some tips to help communicate with your teen, and lead them toward a safer driving experience. A Parent Talking Guide is also available for parents of youth who may be passengers in a vehicle, walk, or ride a bike.

Parents should also consider having a parent-teen driving agreement to help their young driver gain experience in lower-risk driving situations. Parents and teens should work together on the agreement to set clear rules for driving without adult adult supervision. As teens gain experience and maturity, new driving privileges may be introduced. Likewise, when teens do not follow the rules within the agreement, driving privileges can be revoked. By working on the rules together, teens will be more likely to follow them.

To learn more about teen driving laws in Virginia, visit the Virginia DMV website. Remember that you are an influential person in your teen’s life and what you say and do makes an impact. If you have any questions or want to discuss, feel free to call Mary King at 804.461.0396.